We appreciate the enormous support that our ABestWeb community has experienced over the many years it has served its members and sponsors. We have decided to exit this business and have placed the property up for sale and we are actively entertaining interest.

In the meantime, community members will be able to read but not post to ABestWeb beginning on Jan. 18.

We want to thank you for your numerous contributions and your ongoing support. If you have any questions, please let us know.

Hello Board Administrator,
Someone sent me a private message, which I can't read because I haven't posted enough to get PM privs. Please give me PM privs so I can read my message. This thread is in protest I will post until I can read it.

Hello Board Administrator,
Someone sent me a private message, which I can't read because I haven't posted enough to get PM privs. Please give me PM privs so I can read my message. This thread is in protest I will post until I can read it.

You can easily get banned for just posting to get your pm's. Whoever sent you the pm should know that you can't get them yet. It would be better to post that you can't get them and they should post their email address or you can post your email address.

Participating in a real way is the only way to get pm priviledges, it is based on quality, not quantity.

I agree, the same thing actually just happened to me today but I agree with the forum... it's their rules and we must play by them. I am therefore trying to help if I can and make good content posts in hopes of becoming non-newb status!!! (hopefully soon ) but will be patient for it

Actually, I don't mind the NO PM rule. Keeps me from getting spammed, which is good.

I couldn't anywhere that listed the rule for it though. How many GOOD posts/posts are required to clear it? I sent Heiko an email about this but haven't heard back. Any long-timers know the answer to this?

I don't post very often, and have only needed PM once, but it would be nice to know what the next step is.

Don't ask as it's not allowed to be revealed.
The number is private so people don't make a bunch of posts to get to it.
As has been posted about 10000 times just participate and you'll be there before you know it.
Post just to get PM privies and the magic number performs a magic trick. *poof* it gets bigger

================================================================
Been away, now I'm back. Not as much, but I'm back & starting from scratch. Where I was, was fantastic. Where I am now, less so. Things have changed, become harder. So have I. Game ON!!!================================================================

In my opinion, denying people the ability to read messages is not a defensible policy.

It goes along with people not being able to send messages, and in my opinion that's a good thing since it avoids drive-by spam and other miscellaneous annoyances and impertinent intrusions. Bulk *PM spam" can be a very annoying thing.

Remove the number please. It goes against the TOS to post a number you think is the one needed to get pms

================================================================
Been away, now I'm back. Not as much, but I'm back & starting from scratch. Where I was, was fantastic. Where I am now, less so. Things have changed, become harder. So have I. Game ON!!!================================================================

In my opinion, denying people the ability to read messages is not a defensible policy.

Reread the reasons why.
Reread the rules (which as Alan mentioned, you agreed to)
If you have a problem with defending the forum against drive by spammers, etc, then may I ask why?

================================================================
Been away, now I'm back. Not as much, but I'm back & starting from scratch. Where I was, was fantastic. Where I am now, less so. Things have changed, become harder. So have I. Game ON!!!================================================================

================================================================
Been away, now I'm back. Not as much, but I'm back & starting from scratch. Where I was, was fantastic. Where I am now, less so. Things have changed, become harder. So have I. Game ON!!!================================================================

I fully agree with the admin setting a threshold for allowing access to the PM feature. Were there no limit set, all of the board members would get spammed.

I imagine most ABW members are here to learn and share their experiences in affiliate marketing / managing not to receive spam. The threshold is just one way to assure members they do not get spammed by unscrupulous members.

Further, as this is covered in the member terms, I would suggest that you "re-read" the member terms you agreed to when you joined the community. Spamming the board with useless posts will only get you banned. If you wish to be a respectable member, which I am sure you do, please have the courtesy to abide by all terms you agreed to.

No one is saying that the policy of requiring a minimum number of posts in order to PM is a bad one. We are saying that the policy of not being able to READ PM's a member with this priviledge has sent is a bad one.

The software should allow you to read PM's, and reply to anyone who has PM'd you, even if you don't have the ability to send your own PM's.

I understand if the software you are using is unable to do this, and if you don't have the requisite php skills to code the feature in. The only reason I started this thread was so that you could be aware of a software configuration that does not make sense. As a business person, I tell people when their product can be improved.

No one is saying that the policy of requiring a minimum number of posts in order to PM is a bad one. We are saying that the policy of not being able to READ PM's a member with this priviledge has sent is a bad one.

The software should allow you to read PM's, and reply to anyone who has PM'd you, even if you don't have the ability to send your own PM's.

I understand if the software you are using is unable to do this, and if you don't have the requisite php skills to code the feature in. The only reason I started this thread was so that you could be aware of a software configuration that does not make sense. As a business person, I tell people when their product can be improved.

I'm sure Haiko will be grateful for the edification [I'm being sarcastic]

Captain Morgram, the way this forum works is that you get what you give.

PMing is considered a privilege. Participate with posts of quality and before you know it, the privileges will be yours

It's like a phone ringing Cap'n. Let it ring - you can get the message later

We all had the same requirements when we joined. Time goes by quickly and the posts that you place sharing great advice and information with the community will make it seem like the blink of an eye. Have fun - contribute and watch the time fly by!!

I can think of another BIG advantage of disallowing PMs for while altogether.

Many newbies come in all innocent and trusting, not knowing that the net is an ocean full of sharks. There could be some who have been around for a while and are unscrupulous who might try to take advantage of what looks like innocent newbies and try to sell them on services or recruit them for junk. Making the requirement a certain post amount at least gives the noobs a chance to be around for a while and see who's who before falling for a line of BS.

If you have a problem with defending the forum against drive by spammers, etc, then may I ask why?

I did not in any way make that statement. Clearly, spam is a problem, and the admins have every right to try to thwart it.

My problem is with their current solution: denying people the ability to read messages.

As mentioned elsewhere, it would make more sense to just block newbys from the PM system entirely (not allow anyone to send them messages) rather than let people PM them, but block them from even reading the messages.

As most other forums have found other solutions to the same problem, I don't see why several of this board's otherwise friendly and helpful members should find it so threatening for a few brave souls to suggest there might be a better way.